SEARCH DATABASE
The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in any court of law in any part of Nigeria (other than in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court) and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any of the parties to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria and the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court shall
(a) if it is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; or
(b) if it is of opinion that the question does not involve a substantial question of law, remit the question to the court that made the reference to be disposed of in accordance with such directions as the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court may think fit to give.
(2) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court, and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; and where any question is referred in pursuance of this subsection, the court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision.
(3) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Court of Appeal and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Supreme Court which shall give its decision upon the question and give such directions to the Court of Appeal as it deems appropriate. (Sec. 295)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court is the highest jurisdiction of the State in constitutional matters. It is the judge of the constitutionality of the law and it guarantees the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms. It is the regulatory organ of the functioning of the institutions and of the activity of the public powers. (Art. 114)
- French
La Cour constitutionnelle est la plus haute juridiction de l'Etat en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité de la loi et elle garantit les droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et les libertés publiques. Elle est l'organe régulateur du fonctionnement des institutions et de l'activité des pouvoirs publics. (Art. 114)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) After the Shari’ah, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia is the supreme law of the country. It binds the government and guides policy initiatives and decisions in all sections of government.
(2) Any law, or administrative action that is contrary to the Constitution may be invalidated by the Constitutional Court, which has the authority to do so in accordance with this Constitution. (Art. 4) - Somali(1) Shareecada ka sokow, Dastuurka Soomaaliya waa sharciga dalka ugu sarreeya, isaga ayayna xukuumaddu u hoggaansamaysaa, wuxuuna hagayaa hal-abuurka iyo go’aannada siyaasadeed ee qaybaha Dawladda oo dhan.
(2) Sharci kasta ama tallaabo maamul oo ka soo horjeedda Dastuurka, maxkamadda Dastuuriga ah ayaa awood u leh burrinta sharcigaas ama tallaabadaas maamul, si waafaqsan Dastuurkan. (Qodobka 4aad.)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Preventive review of the constitutionality may be requested from the Constitutional Court:
a) By the President of the Republic, in respect of any rule contained in an international treaty or agreement that is referred to it for ratification, as well as in respect of any provision of legislation it has been sent for promulgation as a law, legislative decree or decree-law;
b) By, at least, fifteen Deputies in full exercise of their functions or by the Prime Minister in respect of any rule contained in a legislation act sent to the President for promulgation as law subject to approval by a qualified majority.
… (Art. 278) - Portuguese1. A apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade pode ser requerida ao Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Pelo Presidente da República, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de tratado ou acordo internacional que lhe tenha sido submetido para ratificação, bem como relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo que lhe tenha sido enviado para promulgação como lei, decreto legislativo ou decreto-lei;
b) Por, pelo menos, quinze Deputados em efectividade de funções ou pelo Primeiro Ministro, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo enviado ao Presidente da República para promulgação como lei sujeita a aprovação por maioria qualificada.
… (Art. 278)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution shall be determined by the Court of Appeal sitting as the Constitutional Court.
2. When sitting as a Constitutional Court, the Court of Appeal shall consist of a bench of five members of that Court.
3. A person who alleges that-
a. an Act of Parliament or any other law or anything in or done under the authority of any law; or
b. any act or omission by any person or authority,
is inconsistent with or in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may petition the Constitutional Court for a declaration to that effect, and for redress where appropriate.
4. Where upon determination of the petition under clause (3) of this article the Constitutional Court considers that there is need for redress in addition to the declaration sought, the Constitutional Court may-
a. grant an order of redress; or
b. refer the matter to the High Court to investigate and determine the appropriate redress.
5. Where any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in a court of law other than a Field Court Martial, the Court-
a. may, if it is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law; and
b. shall, if any party to the proceedings requests it to do so,
refer the question to the constitutional court for decision in accordance with clause (1) of this article.
6. Where any question is referred to the constitutional court under clause (5) of this article, the constitutional court shall give its decision on the question, and the court in which the question arises shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision.
… (Art. 137)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is referred to [a matter] by the President of the Republic, by the President of the National Assembly, by the President of the Senate, the Prime Minister or by a third of the members of each Chamber of the Parliament. (Art. 178)
- FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est saisie par le Président de la République, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Premier ministre ou par un tiers des membres de chaque chambre du Parlement. (Art. 178)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Council sees to respect for the constitutional principles. It controls the constitutionality of the laws.
It guarantees the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms.
It is the regulatory organ of the functioning of the institutions and of the activity of the public powers. (Art. 75) - Arabicيحرص المجلس الدستوري على احترام المبادئ الدستورية.
يراقب دستورية القوانين، ويضمن حقوق الإنسان الأساسية والحريات العامة،
وهو الهيئة المنظمة لعمل المؤسسات ولنشاط السلطات العامة. (المادة 75) - FrenchLe Conseil constitutionnel veille au respect des principes constitutionnels. Il contrôle la constitutionnalité des lois.
Il garantit les droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et les libertés publiques.
Il est l'organe régulateur du fonctionnement des institutions et de l'activité des pouvoirs publics. (Art. 75)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The international commitments, provided for in Articles 106 to 108 below must be deferred, before their ratification, to the Constitutional Court, either by the President of the Republic or by the Prime Minister, or by the President of the National Assembly, or one-tenth (1/10) of the Deputies, or by the President of the Senate or one-tenth (1/10) of the Senators.
… (Art. 87)4 - French
Les engagements internationaux prévus aux articles 113 à 115 ci-après doivent être déférés, avant leur ratification, à la Cour Constitutionnelle, soit par le Président de la République, soit par le Premier Ministre, soit par le Président de l'Assemblée Nationale ou un dixième (1/10e) des députés, soit par le Président du Sénat ou un dixième (1/10e) des sénateurs.
... (Art. 87)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) Every person has the right to institute court proceedings, claiming that this Constitution has been contravened, or is threatened with contravention.
(2) In addition to a person acting in their own interest, court proceedings under clause (1) may be instituted by—
(a) a person acting on behalf of another person who cannot act in their own name;
(b) a person acting as a member of, or in the interest of, a group or class of persons;
(c) a person acting in the public interest; or
(d) an association acting in the interest of one or more of its members. (Art. 258) - Swahili(1) Kila mtu ana haki ya kufungua kesi mahakamani, akidai kwamba Katiba hii imevunjwa, au inatishiwa kuvunjwa.
(2) Pamoja na mtu kufanya kwa maslahi yake binafsi, kesi za mahakamani chini ya ibara ya (1) zinaweza kufunguliwa na-
(a) mtu anayechukua hatua kwa niaba ya mtu mwingine ambaye hawezi kuchukua hatua kwa jina lake;
(b) mtu anayechukua hatua kama mshiriki, au kwa maslahi ya kikundi au tabaka la watu;
(c) mtu anayechukua hatua kwa maslahi ya umma; au
(d) chama kinachochukua hatua kwa maslahi ya mwanachama wake mmoja au zaidi. (Kifungu cha 258)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe international engagements specified in Articles 114 to 116 must be deferred before their ratification to the Constitutional Court, either by the President of the Republic, or by the Prime Minister, or by the President of the National Assembly or by one-tenth of the Deputies, or by the President of the High Council of the Collectivities or by one-tenth of the National Councilors.
The Constitutional Court verifies, within a time of one month, if these engagements contain a clause contrary to the Constitution.
… (Art. 90) - FrenchLes engagements internationaux prévus aux articles 114 à 116 doivent être déférés avant leur ratification à la Cour Constitutionnelle, soit par le Président de la République, soit par le Premier Ministre, soit par le Président de l'Assemblée Nationale ou par un dixième des députés, soit par le Président du Haut Conseil des Collectivités ou par un dixième des Conseillers Nationaux.
La Cour Constitutionnelle vérifie, dans un délai d'un mois, si ces engagements comportent une clause contraire à la Constitution.
… (Art. 90)